Case for spectacles, eyeglasses, and other articles.



I. J WILLMOTT. CASE FOR SPEGTAGLBS, EYBGLASSES,- AND OTHER ARTICLES,

AIPILIOA'TION FILED SEPT. 22, 1908. I

973,835; r Patented 0cn.f25,'1910..

2 sums-snarl.

\H\(E.NTOR. FRANQSJAMESMLLM T,

by wimil SR5 co, w snmaron, n. c.

r. J; WILLMOTT. CASE FOR SPEGTAGLES, EYEGLASSES, AND OTHER ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED snr'rlzz, 190's.

973,835. h Patented 0cc.25,191o.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

)NVENTOR,

,WWNES'SES; FRM-ms JAMES WILLMDTT,

THE uonms'psrsns co WASHINGTGN, u. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS JAMES WILLMOTT, 0F EVESHAIVI, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 AMERICAN OPTI- CAL COMPANY,OF SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSA- CI-IUSE'I'TS.

CASE FOR SPECTACLES, EYEGLASSES, AND OTHER ARTICLES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS JAMES VVILL- MOTT, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Evesham, in the county of lVorcester, England, manufacturer, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Cases for Spectacles, Eyeglasses, and other Articles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention comprises improvements in hinges especially applicable to cases for spectacles, eyeglasses, and other articles, more especially for articles of personal use such as cigars, cigarettes, or pipes; and refers to that class of such cases wherein the covers are retained closed, or open, by means of a spring, or springs. adjacent to the hinge; the object of my present invention be ing to provide a control spring of improved form.

To this end my invention broadly comprises one or a pair of bow or straight springs secured to one part, such as the case body and to the second part as the cover by suitable means; said springs being of round, flat or other section. These springs are connected together by a suitable link, or links, or equivalent at one or more points and are so arranged that they retain the cover in a completely open or completely closed position. Or in the case of a single spring it is connected to the cover by its ends and to case body near its middle with the same result. By so constructing and arranging my springs, they do not interfere with the hinge which may thus be continuous for the full length of the case.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of case, having a pair of springs with the cover fully opened. Fig. 2 is a section through the hinge, springs and link at AB in Fig. 1 but with the cover closed, while Fig. 3 is a similar section at CD in Fig. 1, showing the means whereby the ends of the spring are secured to the case body and cover. Fig. 4 illustrates the springs and underside of the link, removed. Fig. 5 is a perspective View of a case with the springs secured to same and to the lid Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 22, 1908.

Patented Oct. 25, 1910.

Serial No. 454,254.

by attachment plates. Fig. 6 is a section at EF in Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 shows one attachment plate removed.

In carrying my invention into practice, as illustrated upon the accompanying drawings at Figs. l-e, where my invention is shown applied to a case intended to be covered by cloth or the like, I employ two wire springs a, b, one of which is secured to the case body 0 while the other one is fixed to the cover (Z. In the rear side, or other convenient part, of said case body 0 I press out two ears 6, e, of a sufiicient size to receive the ends of the spring 6 as seen in Fig. 4, similar ears f being formed on the cover for the reception of the spring at. These springs are connected by a link 9 at the center, said link putting the springs into a state of ten-' sion. Thus, the ends of the springs are secured to the case body and to the cover and are connected together at the center; thereby providing a continuous pressure for fully opening or fully closing the cover. As will be seen, the hinge It extends for the full length of the case, there being no gaps for admitting the spring; while the hinge pin 2' is in one piece only.

When employing one spring only, I secure its ends to the case body and its middle to the cover through a similar link, or vice versa; the action being the same as above described.

When applying my invention to a silver, or plated or like case, where it is not desired to press the ears out of the cover or case, I employ the plates j with ears k which secure the ends of the spring. The plates j are made separately and are soldered or otherwise secured to the case and cover.

I am aware that it has heretofore been proposed, in a double-acting hinge, to employ a wire spring secured, at its ends, to one member, and secured, at its middle to the other member, and so arranged as to always fully open and fully close the hinge; and to such I make no claim.

WVhat I claim is:

A spring lid boX composed of two members hinged together, two springs secured respectively to said members and each consisting of a wire secured at its ends only to E its respective member, and a bent link connected to both of said springs midway of their length, whereby the line joining the o ends of said link will pass from one side of the axis of the hinge to the other in opening and closlng the box.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANCIS JAMES WILLMOTT.

\Vitnesses HAROLD J. C. FoRnnsTnR, NEVILL O. BRITTON. 

